Microsoft completely redesigned the Windows 8 user interface, but many programs still work in the new environment without updates. The 7-Zip file-compression utility works in 32-bit and 64-bit Windows 8, and integrates with Windows File Explorer to extract and compress archive formats such as 7z, BZIP, GZIP, TAR and ZIP. It also extracts -- but doesn't compress -- RAR, DMG, ISO and NTFS formats, among others. The 7-Zip website provides download links for the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the program.

1. Point the cursor to the upper-right corner of the screen, and click “Search.” Type “File Explorer” in the Search box, and click the program icon in the search results to launch File Explorer.

2. Click “Computer” to view your computer's details. Right-click the empty space in the window, and choose “Properties” from the context menu. Read the System Type entry under System in the Properties window to see if you have 32-bit or 64-bit Windows.

3. Visit the 7-Zip website, and click “Download” next to the 32-bit or 64-bit version, depending on your computer's architecture (see Resources). Double-click the downloaded file to run the installation.

4. Click "Next," and select "I Accept the Terms in the License Agreement." Click "Next" and "Install," and wait for the installation to finish. Click "Finish" to close the installer. You don't need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Tips

Right-click 7-Zip on your Start screen, and click “Run as Administrator” to set file associations for the archive formats you'd like to open with 7-Zip, after downloading and installing the program.

7-Zip is free (though the developers accept donations through their site) so you don't need to obtain permission before downloading it for professional or commercial use.

About the Author

David Wayne has been writing since 2010, with technology columns appearing in several regional newspapers in Texas. Wayne graduated from the University of Houston in 2005, earning a Bachelor of Arts in communications.